The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) and the University of San Carlos (UCS) are collaborating to develop and demonstrate the effectiveness of a low-cost ventilator system for tropical indoor environments to mitigate the spread of airborne viruses.
In a taped report, DOST Secretary Fortunato "Boy" de la Peña said the project will redesign the low-cost ventilator system.
Led by Dr. Edward Querikiol, the research is being implemented by the USC in partnership with Max Planck Institute of Chemistry (MPIC) in Mainz, Germany.
"Specifically, it will redesign the low-cost ventilator system, in collaboration with its inventor Dr. Frank Helleis of MPIC and modify it to fit indoor tropical environments in the Philippines," de la Peña explained.
He added the low-cost ventilator will be used in selected tropical indoor environments in the country, such as in classrooms, banks, government agencies, and manufacturing facilities, as well as in public transport vehicles such as jeepneys and buses.
"Currently, the project team consisting of three USC engineers already left for MPIC, Germany to study, train and learn the process, design, and engineering behind the low-cost ventilator and how it would be modified and adjusted to fit our local indoor tropical environment," DOST said.